Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers' perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.

I almost forgot to blog about this, but there is still time to help out. Brookfield resident Tom Wacker is ringing the bell again for the Salvation Army at the Pick 'n Save at 17630 W. Bluemound Road, Saturday from noon to 3pm and Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 6 - 9pm.

Tom does a topnotch job manning the red kettle; he is a real pro. Here is what Tom had to say about the Salvation Army:

"...I will be bell ringing again this year to support the wonderful work that the Salvation Army does for the most unfortunate in our world. Not only do they minister to the needs of the most troubled among us, but they do it in a most efficient way with some of the lowest overhead of any national charity.

We all have much to be thankful for and given the condition of the economy, the needs of the most unfortunate have never been greater.

So once again, if you are in the Milwaukee area, I would urge you to stop by when I'm ringing and share a hug and a bit of Christmas cheer. And if you can, toss a little something into the kettle and help your fellow man this Christmas season."

I support the Salvation Army. They not only help the less fortunate, but they also give disaster aid.

Mary Stutzman, the Salvation Army volunteer coordinator had this to say about Tom's past bell ringing efforts:

"The support that you [Tom] and your family and friends have shown The Salvation Army each year is overwhelming! Last year alone, you raised $_! This is the equivalent of providing a weeks worth of groceries from our food pantry to 100 people, 160 nights of shelter for a homeless person, or 20 community meals to 125 people in need in our Community Meal program."

So stop by Saturday or next Tuesday to help Tom "stuff the kettle" or if those times aren't convenient, stuff the kettle without Tom. It all goes to a good cause. You may also contribute online.

President Obama has little understanding of the charitable giving mindset. No wonder, he gives very little. But to say it isn't fair that the rich get to receive a 39% return on their deduction when others only can receive a 28% return shows his ignorance of the whole tax issue. It is OK to tax the rich at 39% buy not allow them the deduction return of 39%?

For the second time in a few weeks, another atheist acknowledges God as an important factor in helping people. The first time was in an email I received from an atheist in California concerning my Are you naughty, nice? Stingy, generous? blog on giving. In that blog I concluded "the real litmus test on giving is religion." My atheist emailer then replied, "Never thought I'd say this, but thank God for religion then, if it makes Conservatives altruistic."

Christmas is the season of giving. Many charities make their year end pitch during the Christmas season. Whether you respond to their pleas or not, may depend more on your politics and religious beliefs than your wallet.

Heart-Fire Ministries is one local charity that is sure to warm your heart this Christmas. This is their 13th year of operating a Christmas Store that is rather unique, but they need YOUR help. The Christmas Store opens this week Tuesday, December 16th. Here is how it works:

Open Doors is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the
persecuted Christian church around the world. It was the result of a one man
crusade, that began in 1955, to support the local persecuted church in Iron Curtain countries. That
man was Dutch Christian, Andrew van der Bijl, better known as Brother Andrew.

Last weekend an area Boy Scout leader I know stopped on my street with some of his troop. They were passing out food drive plastic bags. I was outside putting my homemade "Academics, not Athletics" sign on my front lawn, when he stopped to chat. I told him I would plug his food drive on the blog after Tuesday. So, here it is.